Summary

Australia
Fifty Cent, 1999
Mint: Royal Australian Mint, Canberra

This was the first year that the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Elizabeth II was used on Australian coinage.

Physical Description

A twelve-sided cupru-nickel coin (31.5 mm diameter with plain edge) featuring on the obverse a diademed bust of Elizabeth II facing right; around, ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1999. Below the head the artist's initials IRB (Ian Rank -Broadley). The reverse is based on the arms of the Commonwealth of Australia, as authorised by Royal Warrant 19 September 1912 - composed of a shield divided into six parts, each containing a representation of the badge of a State. The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu standing. The shield sits on the denomination numerals, 50; above the shield is the Federation star. The entire design is set above a field of stylized wattle leaves. The artist's initials SD are in the field below the numerals.

Obverse Description

Diademed bust of Elizabeth II right; around, ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1999. Below the head the artist's initials IRB (Ian Rank -Broadley).

Reverse Description

Arms of the Commonwealth of Australia, based on those authorised by Royal Warrant 19 September 1912 - composed of a shield divided into six parts, each containing a representation of the badge of a State. The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu. The shield sits on the denomination numerals, 50; above the shield is the Federation star. The entire design is set above a field of stylized wattle leaves. The artist's initials SD are in the field below the numerals.

Edge Description

Plain

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